Aerial footage from NewsChannel5's electronic newsgathering helicopter showed at least four hangars, one housing five business jets, at Nashville John C. Tune Airport were badly damaged by an overnight tornado that struck Tennessee. Nearly two dozen people across the state were killed by the tornado. (Photo: NewsChannel5 Nashville)

Nashville Airport Hammered by Tornado

Nashville John C. Tune Airport (JWN), Tennessee's largest dedicated general-aviation gateway, suffered extensive damage earlier this week, when a powerful tornado cut a swath of destruction across four counties in the center of the state and killed nearly two dozen people.

Aerial photos and video showed at least four completely devastated hangars, with five jets and several smaller aircraft among the ruins. More single-engine aircraft were shown strewn across the tarmac. A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which owns and manages JWN, told BJT that the airport is closed as crews continue to assess the damage.

The spokesperson confirmed that there was damage to the Contour FBO, the lone service provider on the field. Attempts to reach the FBO were unsuccessful, and calls to the company’s corporate headquarters were not returned before press time. Per an FAA Notam, the airport is closed until March 10, ostensibly to allow time to clean up debris.

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